Autosportfoto

F1 US GP: Hamilton primed for FIA drivers’ press conference in Austin

Lewis Hamilton has been called up as one of the six drivers to attend the FIA drivers' press conference on Thursday ahead of the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.

The defending F1 world champion came under fire from the media after his attitude during the drivers' press conference in Japan when he was playing on his phone and using social media app 'Snapchat' to take photos and videos of himself and other drivers while being questioned by journalists.

Hamilton hit back during his post-qualifying media session after expressing his frustration at journalists for the backlash during the press conference.

"The other day was a super lighthearted thing and if you thought that I was disrespectful, it was honestly not the intention. It was a little bit of fun, but what was more disrespectful was what was then written worldwide," Hamilton said in Japan.

"Unfortunately there are some people here and it's not them that have done it - unfortunately the decision I will take affects those that are super supportive, so that's why I say with the utmost respect, but I don't really plan on sitting at many more times for these kinds of things."

As per the FIA's regulations it is mandatory for any driver selected for the pre-event press conference to attend, which will test Hamilton's refusal to do media sessions after his frustrations from Suzuka.

Hamilton trails Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg by 33 points heading into the United States Grand Prix and returns to the scene of his 2015 title triumph when he produced a masterclass to win in damp conditions to wrap up a third F1 world championship.

Zdroj: crash.net